Four movies aim to make money by spilling blood

Gene Kelly in The Pirate, Peter O'Toole in My Favorite Year, Jeff Daniels in The Purple Rose of Cairo -- each played an actor forced to project his romantic persona into real life. There are few things funnier or more touching than the sight of a performer's image slipping down around his knees while he tries to yank it into place before anyone notices he is only human.

To the ranks of those who have braved this indignity in the cause of laughter must be added Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short. They play a team of silent...